Chance Quote by Abhijit Banerjee
“Even Milton Friedman - doyen of radical free market thought - was willing to consider some government intervention into primary education on the grounds that it is unfair for children to not get a chance in life because they were born to poor parents.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on education policy, 2020
Friedman, a staunch free‑market advocate, acknowledged that extreme poverty can deny children equal life chances, so limited state support in schooling may be justified.
In simple terms: Even free‑market fans see a role for government in education to level the playing field.
Key Takeaway
Allow targeted public help to give disadvantaged children a fair start.
Themes
education
equality
government role
poverty
opportunity
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
analytical
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- public school reform
- scholarship programs
- early childhood interventions
- community tutoring
- policy debates
Key Concepts
social justice
public policy
economic inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to balance market efficiency with social equity in education?
- What safeguards prevent government aid from becoming ineffective?
A Different Perspective
Free‑market purists may argue that any intervention creates dependency or distorts markets.
